Top regional events in May

Music, sport and comedy it's worth flying for

By
Time Out Bahrain staff
28 April 2014

Beirut International Tango FestivalMay 1 to 6 St Georges Yacht Club ballroom, Beirut, LebanonNow in its sixth year, Lebanon’s first international Argentine tango event presents Milongas and Maestros shows from May 1 to 4, alongside a large schedule of fascinating workshops. Following the festival, two organised tourism trips will head to the ancient port-city of Byblos on May 5 and the everlasting Cedar Forest of the Chouf Mountain on May 6. This is one week not to be missed.Total package price costs BD91 but day passes and one-trip options are available from www.tangolebanon.com

Rusalka May 8 and 10 Royal Opera House Muscat, OmanRusalka is Czech composer Antonin Dvorák’s most beloved opera, and here the Czech Republic’s own beloved Janácek Opera of the National Theatre Brno reinterpret it. The story mixes Czech mythology with the classic tale of The Little Mermaid, and tells a tragedy of Rusalka, a water nymph in love with a human, sending a message that love is stronger than death, and forgiveness is more powerful than hate. Tickets from BD10 from www.rohmuscat.org.om

Sandance May 9 Atlantis Beach, Dubai, UAEAfter enduring some notoriously bad press for a disorganised NYE edition, Sandance returns in 2014 with a packed and decidedly retro-minded bill. Headlining is one the ’80s best known survivors, dance-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, while shades of the ’90s come from pioneering hip-hop troupe Arrested Development and superstar DJ Fatboy Slim. More contemporary sounds come from indie band Scouting for Girls and dance duo Goldfish. NYE ticket holders will receive a 50 percent discount.Tickets from BD31 from www.timeouttickets.com

Chris LakeMay 15 Club 7, La Cigale, Doha, QatarNotable British house DJ and producer Chris Lake is in Doha for one night only to spin at Club 7. He’s best known for dropping dance floor hits and his tune ‘Changes’ went to the top ten on Billboard’s Hot Dance Airplay chart in 2006, while ‘Carry Me Away (feat. Emma Hewitt)’ dominated the same chart a year later. BD15 on the door. Visit www.jaredmcculloch.com

The Real Wolf of Wall StreetMay 19 JW Marriot Marquis, Dubai, UAEMartin Scorsese’s epic, profanity laden portrait of the 1980s on Wall Street may have been shut out of the Oscars, but it did make headlines across the globe (not least for breaking the Hollywood record for cuss word uses) – and introduce the world to the real-life Wolf who inspired the movie with his warts-and-all memoirs, Jordan Belfort. Hear the man tell his own story and spill the beans in front of a live audience. Tickets DB77 fromtimeouttickets.com

Justin TimberlakeMay 23 du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAEWorldwide musical megastar Justin Timberlake is undeniably hot right now. Last year he dominated the global charts with best-selling album The 20/20 Experience, a triumphant return after seven years off from music. Now he’s bringing his world tour to Abu Dhabi. Expect an electrifying performance from a consummate pro. Tickets from BD31 at www.ticketmaster.ae

Kings of LeonMay 28 Atlantis the Palm, Dubai, UAEAfter traversing some rocky roads in recent years brothers Caleb, Jared and Nathan Followill (all descendants of grandfather Leon, geddit) plus cousin Mathew hit back with last year’s safe but satisfying fifth LP, Mechanical Bull. Here they return to the region for the first time in five years with a huge weeknight gig on the sands at Atlantis. Lighters at the ready.Tickets from BD40 from www.ticketmaster.ae

Black SabbathMay 29 Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAELegendary British heavy metal outfit Black Sabbath are making a pit stop in the Middle East as part of their 2013-2014 world tour. This performance supports 13, their first studio album in 35 years. Ozzy and co were recently ranked by MTV as the ‘Greatest Metal Band’. Rock on.Tickets from BD31 from www.ticketmaster.ae

John BishopMay 29 Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAEA regular face on UK television from shows Have I Got News For You and John Bishop’s Britain, this A-list Brit comedian makes his Middle Eastern debut with a brand new show, road-testing never heard before material to a regional crowd ahead of a mammoth autumn tour at home. BD31 from www.timeouttickets.com

Dubai Darts MastersMay 29-30 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Dubai, UAEThe world’s best darts players descend on Dubai to battle it out for a big money prize. With John Bishop a day earlier and Kings of Leon the day before that, this looks like the perfect party to round-off a fun-filled mini-break in Dubai.Tickets from BD26 a day from www.timeouttickets.com